by JerryH » Mon Dec 15, 2003 6:52 pm
Poseidon,
It takes some work to find the weight of an aircraft. At least I don't know of an easy way. To start the process, look in the aircraft.cfg file using a text editor like Notepad.
Part way down the file is the (Weight_and_Balance) section with the following info:
Max_gross_weight=XXXXXX (This tells you nothing about the actual weight in the sim; only someone's idea of a maximum)
Empty_weight=XXXXXX (This is the total weight of the aircraft with no fuel, PAX or cargo)
Station_load.0=XXX0, x, y, z
Station_load.1=XXX1, x, y, z
Station_load.2=XXX2, x, y, z
(This gives you the weight and x, y and z CG locations of all PAX, crew, payload, etc. There may be only one or many Station_loads specified)
Just add up the Empty_weight and all Station_load weights to obtain the Zero Fuel Weight.
For the last step while running the sim and after selecting the aircraft, click on the fuel selector to view the gallons and pounds of fuel in each tank (totals are at the bottom of the list).
Your answer: Gross Weight = Zero Fuel Weight + Total Fuel
If you want to takeoff with a reduced fuel load, you can adjust the percentage (or gallons) of fuel in each tank at the fuel selector, but use caution. If done incorrectly, it can cause a balance problem with the center of gravity. My solution has been to fly the aircraft for a while and check the fuel status enroute several times using the "Aircraft" menu. That way I can determine the correct order in which the fuel tanks are depleted.
There has to be an easier way. Hopefully, someone will read this and set me straight.
Cheers,
JerryH
